The 14 Most Expensive European Countries For Tourists

Europe is the most visited continent in the world, despite its reputation for its expensive destinations. The United Nations pegged 747 million inbound visitors in 2024 — interestingly, the same number as its inhabitants — representing a 5% increase from 2023 and marking a full recovery from pre-pandemic levels. That impressive figure doesn't account for the millions of Europeans who travel within the continent's vast borders, either. In contrast, Asia — the second-most popular continent for inbound visitors — only saw 316 million travelers in 2024. This post-COVID travel renaissance in Europe coincides with elevated travel expenses, as everything from accommodation to airfare hits visitors' wallets harder. OC&C Strategy Consultants' research indicates that air travel costs have surged by 38% since 2019 in Europe. Similarly, hotel rates have spiked by 26%.

Despite the sticker shock of a European trip, many Americans still plan on visiting the Old Continent. Whether you want to opt for cheaper destinations or reinforce your bank account for costlier destinations, Money Digest looked at Kayak's extensive database to assess average hotel costs, Numbeo's aggregate cost tracking for average meal costs, and Budget Your Trip for local transportation expenses across some of the continent's most expensive countries. These essential amenities were tallied up to determine a daily and average vacation cost for two people, and the countries were ranked accordingly. 

It should come as no surprise that a country associated with high-roller casinos, billionaire yachts, and luxury exotic cars is expensive to visit. Monaco, a tiny Mediterranean nation situated along the idyllic French Riviera, is synonymous with ostentatious wealth and exclusivity, partially explaining its appeal to curious vagabonds. Visiting the playground for the world's wealthiest is a serious budget breaker. Kayak puts a single night in a 4-star double room at $345 per night. That's not much of a break from five-star hotels, which fetch $731 per night. 

A couple can rack up an average restaurant bill of $173.66 at a mid-range restaurant, per Numbeo data. The drinks alone cost as much as entire meals in some more affordable countries, with a bottle of water going for $9.65. Monaco's small stature, roughly the size of Central Park, helps minimize intra-country transportation costs, which average $23 daily per person according to Budget Your Trip. Altogether, a single-day trip to Monaco costs a couple around $538. A week's vacation to the casino-rich country is a $4,045 gamble.

Switzerland has a well-deserved reputation as one of Europe's most expensive destinations. The landlocked, Alpine country offers sweeping mountain vistas, world-class amenities, and premier retail options, but these advantages come with a premium. A couple can expect to pay $353 when opting for a four-star hotel, although a five-star place will hike the cost to $724, according to Kayak. Switzerland doesn't give your travel budget a break on food, either. A meal out for two at a standard restaurant with three courses costs around $125.05, and that's not including drinks, per Numbeo. Even a 12-oz soft drink and a bottle of water are pricey, sitting at $5.53 and $4.96, respectively.

The preeminent expert on European travel, Rick Steves, says tourists need one phrase when traveling to save money on dining — a simple trick that could save you a few bucks in Switzerland, and that term is "tap water," as its typically free. Getting around in the tiny mountain region with local transportation hovering around $43 per person, per day, according to Budget Your Trip. Altogether, the average couple would spend more than $700 per day or $5,147 per week traveling in Switzerland, the data notes.

According to the Bank of Italy, the classic European destination earned over $24.5 billion net from tourism revenue in 2024, representing 1% of the large economy's total gross domestic product. These impressive inflows reflect the rising cost of traveling to Italy. Consider that the average couple puts up $356 per night for a double room according to Kayak, meaning a week's trip would cost $2,492 in accommodation alone.

Although the country's hotels are more expensive than other countries on this list, its world-famous cuisine is among the most affordable. A three-course meal for two might result in a bill of $81.13 according to Numbeo. Italy's public transportation is on par with destinations of comparable overall cost, averaging $31 per person per day per Budget Your Trip. All in all, a couple is estimated to spend $499.13 daily and about $3,500 weekly in Italy, making it among the most expensive European countries for tourists. You can claw back some of these expenses by avoiding popular cities like Venice, but even Rick Steves says this "tourist trap" is worth paying to see.

Nearly 2.3 million overnight visitors entered Iceland's shores in 2024, according to the Icelandic Tourist Board. Located to the east of Greenland, this small European island boasts vast beaches, expansive glaciers, shooting geysers, and active volcanoes. Its rising popularity over the past few years, combined with the country's high quality of life, results in a pricey vacation. A couple spends an average of $293 nightly on a hotel throughout the country, per Kayak. Splurging on a five-star hotel? That bill will climb to $584. When you step into a standard restaurant in Iceland, you should expect to leave with a bill worth $126.18 according to Numbeo. hat's for three courses without drinks. A soda and a bottle of water will only set you back $3.16 and $2.65, respectively. 

The island is well-connected, given its size, helping to curtail transportation costs. A couple usually spends around $68 daily on transportation costs, according to Budget Your Trip. In total, two people should budget around $500 per day or $3,500 per week. Iceland has risen as a highly sought-after getaway, but it's among the European countries retirees regret moving to due to visa restrictions and tough year-round weather.

France reigns as the most-visited country on the entire planet, pulling in 100 million international visitors in 2023, as calculated by UN Tourism. This consistent popularity remains in the face of high costs. A single-night stay in a French hotel hits the average couple with a $259 expense, jumping to $745 for a luxury five-star accommodation via Kayak. Eager to try the country's famous cuisine? A typical restaurant with three courses costs around $69.54, although bills can drop to $46.36 and leap to $115.90, per Numbeo.

Transportation costs don't stop once you enter the country. Getting around will cost each person around $35 according to Budget Your Trip. Retirees can trim down their transportation costs by using the senior discount in France for cheap train travel. Overall, a pair can expect to dedicate $4,256 for a week in France. Keep in mind, these expenses don't even consider the costs of getting to France. 

Denmark routinely ranks high in the UN's World Happiness Report, and that positive attitude awaits visitors seeking out the small nation's famed Danish pastries, extensive biking paths, beautiful islands, and accessible beaches. These enticing to-dos were enough to bring in 66.2 million overnight stays in 2024, up a whole 1.5 million from the prior year, according to The Copenhagen Post. However, Denmark isn't the cheapest European escape. A typical double room goes for $211 nightly, yet five-star accommodation jumps up to $347 via Kayak data.

A three-course meal out on the town is set at around $108.64 for two, per Numbeo, although no drinks are included in the estimate. Unless you bike everywhere, expect to spend about $37 daily on transportation, according to Budget Your Trip. Couples are looking at a budget of 3,428 weekly to travel here. Denmark might be pricey on main travel expenses, but this underrated European country has free museums and water activities, so don't overlook where you can cut back on other costs.

Wedged between Sweden and Russia, Finland is another one of the most expensive countries in Europe for tourists. This. The Scandinavian nation is heralded for its wild Lapland region, fairytale Lake District, and well-preserved old towns like in the capital, Helsinki. Yet, visitors would do well to budget carefully before heading to Finland. The average double room in the northern nation, even on the cheapest day of the week, is still $189 nightly according to Kayak, with the average nightly rate hitting $279 in December.

You'll strain to find a two-person meal for less than $92.72 even at a standard restaurant, according to Numbeo data, and often go higher. Getting around costs about $43 per day. When you add all that up, you're looking at $2,940 weekly. If you're determined to make a trip to Finland on a budget, make sure to avoid travel upgrades that are a total waste of money. 

Spain is an immensely popular vacation hub for Europeans and foreigners alike. Taking up the vast majority of the Iberian Peninsula, this vibrant nation is celebrated for its world-famous festivals and activities, including the Camino de Santiago in the north, Running of the Bulls in Pamplona, and the April Festival in Seville. While Spain is enjoyed by tens of millions annually, its prices reflect that popularity. Couples can expect to pay about $235 nightly for a typical double room, per Kayak.

Your wallet can enjoy a break when eating out, as a full-course meal of delectable Spanish cuisine is only around $57.95 for two people, via Numbeo data. In the Andalusia region, many restaurants will serve you free food when you order a drink. Spain is a large country, so getting around isn't the cheapest. Couples usually pay around $34 daily, according to Budget Your Trip. Summed up, that's $3,005per week for two people to visit Spain.

England has long been a popular European retreat for Americans. In fact, one of the best places to retire outside of the U.S. is an affordable city in England. Whether visiting for the iconic capital of London, the cliff-lined shores of the South Coast, or the historical villages of the North Country, England is known for its higher costs. A couple staying in a standard double room will rack $206 per night on their travel budget, according to Kayak. If cost-cutting is your goal, don't even consider the five-star hotels, which stretch above $350 nightly. 

A full-course meal of England's hearty cuisine costs roughly $84.36 for two, yet the bill can climb to over $130 in fancier places, per Numbeo. If you wish to rent a car or take otherwise mid-range mobility options, Budget Your Trip notes costs can hover around $33 per day. In total, a trip to the seat of the United Kingdom costs two people $1,688 per week

Luxembourg is a compact European nation tucked away between the countries of Belgium, Germany, and France. The miniature kingdom attracts visitors out of curiosity, but the intrigue comes at a steep cost. Couples can expect to pay $226 per night in the small country's most visited neighborhood, although costs increase closer to downtown, according to Kayak data. Eating out affordably at a restaurant in Luxembourg is an equal challenge, with mid-range establishments costing $92.72 for two people, per Numbeo. Again, that's not including any drinks, which can hover around $3 or $4 for a 12-oz soda or water. 

Believe it or not, transportation is free for all in this gorgeous European country. Luxembourg became one of the first countries in Europe to offer free public transit for locals and visitors alike. With a mere 90-minute commute from the northern to southern extremities of the tiny nation, you can easily explore the entirety of Luxembourg in a single trip. Altogether, a travel duo will pay $3,841 for a week in Luxembourg, according to Budget Your Trip.

Nestled between Belgium, Germany, and the Atlantic Ocean, the Netherlands has much more to offer than its eclectic capital of Amsterdam. The country is famed for annual tulip blossoms, quaint towns, bikeable cities, and long stretches of sandy beaches — unique in many parts of Europe. All these features await if you can foot the bill. When traveling with a significant other or a friend, you'll pay about $192 per night for a double room per Kayak data.

A standard three-course meal averages around $92.72 when opting for a mid-range establishment, according to Numbeo. A couple can get by with spending $31 each daily getting around, per Budget Your Trip. You might find that biking around, although it takes longer than public transit, is more affordable — and healthier — overall. That brings the daily cost of a trip to Holland to $346.72. For a whole week, travel expenses rise to $2,427.04. Keep an eye out when walking around, as the Netherlands is home to some cities where you're most likely to get pickpocketed.

Norway features Europe's longest coastline, home to the nation's famous fjords. This Nordic haven is an outdoor enthusiast's dream with remarkable national parks, breathtaking mountain ranges, and bright northern lights. Beyond its stunning natural beauty, Norway is known for its high cost of living, which is 61.3% higher than in Spain, according to Numbeo. This trickles down to the tourism sector, resulting in higher bills for visitors across accommodation, food, and public transit. 

Your standard two-bedroom accommodation in Norway is $200 per night, per Kayak. Despite these elevated costs, nearly 38.6 million people stayed overnight in Norway, the country's highest number on record, according to Statistics Norway. Don't look to the restaurants to cut back on your vacation budget. A three-course meal at a standard restaurant is about $50 per person for a total bill of $100.On the other hand, moving around within Norway isn't too expensiveat around $16 daily according to Budget Your Trip. Tallied up, a couple's trip to this Scandinavian getaway is $1,769 per week.

Many Americans have never heard of this landlocked, mountainous country snuggled between Spain and France. Located within the Pyrenees, Andorra offers year-round mountain activities, such as hiking and skiing, and an advantageous tax system. Similar to other tax-friendly locations, this small nation has become associated with wealth and prestige, partially owing to its higher-than-average travel costs. A couple can expect to cough up $186 nightly for a double room on Kayak. That might seem pricey, but a five-star can reach $1,611 per night.

Visitors will be pleased with food prices, compared to some of the other most expensive countries in Europe for tourists. A standard full-course meal is only around $52.16 for two people per Numbeo data. You can easily pay more, so be on the lookout for more affordable places. Despite being a relatively small country, transportation within Andorra is pretty pricey. On a daily basis, you can pay $45 just to get around according to Budget Your Trip. When budgeting for a vacation for two to this mountainous nation, you'll need about $3,135 weekly. 

Sweden is yet another Scandinavian country to make it on the list of the costliest countries on the continent. Rick Steves wouldn't be surprised, as the travel legend considers it the most expensive region in Europe. Sandwiched between Norway and Finland, Sweden is actually one of the more reasonably priced in the Nordic neighborhood. The typical double room for a couple is priced at $161 via Kayak, although five-star accommodations can reach over $250. A three-course meal for two without drinks at a standard restaurant will set you back about $84.44. Drinks aren't too bad, costing around $2 to $3 for a soda or water, per Numbeo data.

Daily transportation averages $21 according to Budget Your Trip. Altogether, a trip to Sweden for two comes in at $2,543 per week. That's definitely among the more affordable of the priciest countries in Europe, but Sweden still requires a financial sacrifice to visit, especially when factoring in the additional costs of airfare.